Health Library

Types of Surgery

What is surgical diagnosis?

As part of your diagnosis, you and your doctor may discuss surgery as a way to correct your condition. This decision is based on careful evaluation of your personal medical history and subsequent medical tests, such as blood tests, X-rays, MRI, CT scan, electrocardiogram, or other laboratory work performed to determine the exact diagnosis.

What are the different types of surgery?

Depending on the diagnosis, a patient has several surgery options:

Elective surgery. An elective surgery does not necessarily mean it is optional. It simply means that the procedure can be scheduled in advance. It may be a procedure you choose to have. It may not be essential for a good quality of life. This includes such things as removing a mole or wart, or having kidney stones removed. It may also be done if other forms of medication and treatment are not working.

Urgent or emergency surgery. This type of surgery is done because of an urgent, possibly life-threatening, medical condition, such as acute appendicitis or trauma.